21 killed, 16 missing in China mine blast

At least 21 workers were killed and 16 others trapped underground when a gas explosion hit a coal mine in China's central Henan province today, the latest in a series of mishaps that have rocked the country's mining sector considered the most dangerous in the world.

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ITGD Bureau

Beijing

October 16, 2010

UPDATED: October 16, 2010 21:01 IST

At least 21 workers were killed and 16 others trapped underground when a gas explosion hit a coal mine in China's central Henan province on Saturday, the latest in a series of mishaps that have rocked the country's mining sector considered the most dangerous in the world.

The blast occurred in the mine situated in Yuzhou city of the province at 6 am local time, the official Xinhua news agency reported, quoting the rescue headquarters officials.

Rescuers retrieved 20 bodies till afternoon and were searching for the trapped miners after "a sudden coal and gas outburst" in the mine owned by Pingyu Coal and Electric Company Limited, the National Work Safety Agency said.

A total of 276 miners were working underground when the accident took place and 239 escaped.

More than 70 rescuers are working in shifts despite a high density of gas underground, which is hindering the operation.

The 16 miners have been located, but rescuers must clear the coal dust from the shaft first. Ventilation has been resumed in the pit, Xinhua reported.

An initial investigation showed that more than 2,500 tonnes of coal dust were in the pit after gas burst, said Du Bo, an engineer with one of the mine's parent companies.

Du said the accident occurred when workers were taking measures to prevent gas bursts.

The same mine reported another gas and coal burst on August 1, 2008, which left 23 miners dead.

Mine accidents have become very common in China following immense demand for coal to back up energy demand.

China has recently announced new set of safety rules asking the Mangers of the mines to accompany the miners during the operations but the accidents continued unabated.

China's mining industry is considered the most dangerous in the world, with more than 2,600 workers killed in accidents last year alone.

More than 1,000 small, illegal coal mines were shut down this year as part of efforts to improve safety standards.

With inputs from PTI

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